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Longmont voters pass three measures, approving $53M total in new public debt

Three downtown buildings, two fire stations and four public recreation facilities to see upgrades

By Sam Lounsberry

Staff Writer

Posted:
11/06/2018 10:00:51 PM MST

Updated:
11/06/2018 10:01:43 PM MST

Dan Humecky works on his swing at the Ute Creek Golf Course on Monday. It is one of three city golf courses to see upgrades with the approval of three city bond issues by voters on Tuesday. (Lewis Geyer / Staff Photographer)

Longmont leaders were celebrating Tuesday night what appeared to be a sweeping passage of all three city bond issues from preliminary election results, with voter support for up to $53.1 million-worth of new debt for improvements to public facilities.

"This represents the community's commitment to taking care of our most heavily used and critical public facilities," City Manager Harold Dominguez said in a statement.

The victories for each of the ballot issues came by varying margins, with the approval of ballot issue 3B for up to $15.5 million more city debt to fund replacements of Fire Station No. 2 at 2300 Mountain View Ave. and Fire Station No. 6 at 501 S. Pratt Parkway receiving the most voter support with 72.9 percent.

Ballot measure 3A for up to $26.6 million in debt to renovate the aging Longmont Public Library, Civic Center and Safety and Justice Center buildings downtown had 63.5 percent support, and measure 3C to upgrade the city's three golf courses and Centennial Pool with up to $11 million of debt had 55.4 percent support.

"We are grateful to the voters of Longmont for passing these initiatives. This rehabilitation work is sorely needed," Mayor Brian Bagley said in a statement.

The debt approved in the election will be added to the city's $147.43 million of outstanding bond principal that Longmont CFO Jim Golden had on the books before Tuesday.

"We would be in fairly serious trouble if they didn't pass," Councilwoman Marcia Martin said.

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Downtown building rehabilitation: Measure 3A

The library, Civic Center and Safety and Justice Center are 24, 25 and 43 years old, respectively.

Work on the Civic Center will build off of ongoing construction to reinforce the concrete slab between the building and parking garage that has kept its west entrance temporarily closed.

The first steps for improving the three buildings will be to complete assessments of what is needed at each, and develop detailed designs over the next six to 12 months, a statement from city officials said.

Fire station replacements: Measure 3B

Garages for Fire Stations No. 2 and 6, built in 1967 and 1971, respectively, could no longer accommodate newer and larger fire department's equipment, officials said.

Fire Station No. 2 is more likely than Fire Station No. 6 to be torn down and rebuilt in a nearby location, while the latter may be renovated at its current location but could also be relocated to a yet-to-built facility, Assistant City Manager Sandra Seader said.

Work on potential site selection and design plans for the upgraded fire stations will last six to 12 months.

Recreation upgrades: Measure 3C

Timelines on upgrades to Centennial Pool and Ute Creek, Sunset and Twin Peaks golf courses have not yet been established and could coincide, Seader said.

Work on the pool, which has been closed since August due to sump pump damage, will relieve lobby congestion and add four family changing rooms, among other improvements.

The golf courses will have irrigation systems replaced or rehabilitated, and a new maintenance facility at Ute Creek will be erected featuring offices, an employee area, a heated repair area and cold storage.

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